Richard III (1995)

95% of critics liked it
(43 reviews)
82% of users liked it
(6,166 ratings)

Richard Loncraine takes Shakespeare's classic tale of treachery, Richard III, and transplants it to the 1930s. Ian McKellen is Richard who, as the film opens, begins plotting against his brother Edward, who has just ascended to the throne after a bloody civil war. Richard begins by seducing and… More Richard Loncraine takes Shakespeare's classic tale of treachery, Richard III, and transplants it to the 1930s. Ian McKellen is Richard who, as the film opens, begins plotting against his brother Edward, who has just ascended to the throne after a bloody civil war. Richard begins by seducing and wedding Lady Anne (Kristin Scott Thomas), whom he made a widow during the war. With the help of some loyal henchmen, Richard succeeds in murdering his older brother Clarence (Nigel Hawthorne), which so upsets Edward that he dies. Eventually, the crown falls to the young Prince of Wales (Marc Williamson). Richard is assigned to be the young king's protector, but instead, he has the boy and his brother jailed in the Tower of London. Richard seizes control over the country, but his ruthless quest for power eventually makes him powerful enemies, led by Henry Richman (Dominic West), who attempt to stop him. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi

Play Trailer

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 45 min.
Directed By: Richard Loncraine
Written By: Ian McKellen, Richard Loncraine
Genres: Drama

In Theaters: Dec 29, 1995 Wide
On DVD: Aug 15, 2001
Studio: United Artists

Critic Reviews

Godfrey Cheshire, Variety
A sure-fire crowd-pleaser among recent Shakespeare movies.
Hal Hinson, Washington Post
In a shamelessly entertaining display of acting brilliance, McKellen 'plays' the demon's good arm as if it were a Stradivarius, executing one showy stunt after another.
Andrew Geller, New York Times
It is all in the grand manner of Shakespearean tragedies.
Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times
This is Shakespeare exciting enough for even the most dubious, which, after all, is no less than the man deserves.
Jeff Millar, Houston Chronicle
McKellen's enormous performance as Richard represents the film's biggest tinkering with theatrical canon.
James Berardinelli, ReelViews
While this curious clash between a near-modern setting and the much older source material might seem confounding, it actually serves to energize the play, as well as making it more palatable to present-day audiences.
Sarah Boslaugh, Playback:stl
...McKellan helped his own cause by writing a screenplay which captures the essence of Shakespeare's play while also working perfectly as a movie.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
This glossy adaptation is arch, nasty fun.
Angie Errigo, Empire Magazine
Rigorous adaptation of the notoriously 'difficult' play.
, Film4
Even if you hate Shakespeare, you'll love this.
Beth Accomando, KPBS.org
As played by McKellen, Richard is a consummate actor who knows what role to assume, what props to use, and what words and actions to employ to turn a "scene" to his best advantage.
Stephen Garrett, Time Out
This triumphant take on the Crookback king is as different from Olivier's '50s historical pageant as chalk is from malmsey.
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
Ian McKellen plays Richard III, and he's a twisted, blackened, serpentine, lurching, spitting, menacing villain with no redeeming qualities whatsoever. He is so hateful, it is easy to see why the Academy overlooked him.
Dan Lybarger, Nitrate Online
An imaginative and visceral Shakespeare adaptation with a mesmerising perfromance by McKellen.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Striking, fun and, finally, disturbing.
Emily Blunt, Blunt Review
A great concept-- and McKellen still rules Shakes works!

Read all 16 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Jennifer D

Ian McKellan was magnificent as usual. Annette Bening was magic. Jim Broadbent was incredible. Maggie Smith was brief, but fantastic. Robert Downey Jr. was confusing.
Wildaly M

Richard III like you've never seen it before! Ian McKellen was amazing in this as he embodies the evilness of Richard III. Inventive and ruthless, this version cuts much of the dialogue in the play which makes it much more bearable than Olivier's 1995 snore-fest. Even if… More
Richard III like you've never seen it before! Ian McKellen was amazing in this as he embodies the evilness of Richard III. Inventive and ruthless, this version cuts much of the dialogue in the play which makes it much more bearable than Olivier's 1995 snore-fest. Even if you're not fond of nor familiar with Shakespeare, you'll find this movie pretty enjoyable.
Stella D

one of shakespeare's more brutal plays reset in the '30's with striking atmosphere and a stellar cast. it's obvious sir ian had a blast making this and he is bloody marvelous. this is a very abridged version but it's definitely one of the most successful… More
one of shakespeare's more brutal plays reset in the '30's with striking atmosphere and a stellar cast. it's obvious sir ian had a blast making this and he is bloody marvelous. this is a very abridged version but it's definitely one of the most successful 'modern' adaptations i've seen. worth checking out even if you're not a fan of elizabethan drama!
El Hombre I

What makes this version spectacular is the "modern-day" setting of this Shakespearean classic with imagery invoking that of Nazi Germany. The costumes, sets and mannerisms are perfect for the era, so much so that Shakespeare's lines never seem out of place and the… More
What makes this version spectacular is the "modern-day" setting of this Shakespearean classic with imagery invoking that of Nazi Germany. The costumes, sets and mannerisms are perfect for the era, so much so that Shakespeare's lines never seem out of place and the dialogue is handled by the actors in such a natural manner, unlike Baz Lurhman's Romeo + Juliet. Ian McKellan is so villainous and at the same time very charismatic, you empathize with his character. Highly recommended. <a href="http://s273.photobucket.com/albums/jj203/goji9000/?action=view&current=richardiii.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj203/goji9000/richardiii.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
Ken S

Visually interesting and simplified re-telling of Richard III. Set in hypothetical 1930's England where Civil War has left the country amid Fascist rule. All of the cast is fantastic (accept Annette Bening)
Curtis L

Nothing special. Ian McKellen is great as usual, so is Annette Bening. Overall not that memorable.
Alec B

I was disappointed that the film moved so quickly (an hour and 45 minutes is basically a sparknotes version of any Shakespeare play) because Ian McKellen plays Richard III with such wicked glee, that you just want to see more of him. The setting of the play in an alternate fascist… More
I was disappointed that the film moved so quickly (an hour and 45 minutes is basically a sparknotes version of any Shakespeare play) because Ian McKellen plays Richard III with such wicked glee, that you just want to see more of him. The setting of the play in an alternate fascist London in the 1930s works tremendously well. It's very good, I just wish they had the drive to do more of the story.
Marcus W

I wanted to see this for McKellen, and he doesn't disappoint. If you're a fan of both McKellen and Shakespeare you might rate it higher, but me and the bard have never really got on. It has a strong cast, it's nicely directed, and McKellen's reputation as one of… More
I wanted to see this for McKellen, and he doesn't disappoint. If you're a fan of both McKellen and Shakespeare you might rate it higher, but me and the bard have never really got on. It has a strong cast, it's nicely directed, and McKellen's reputation as one of the finest English actors is absolutely upheld. Oh, and unlike most theatrical adaptations it's not seven hours long but rather a healthy 100 minutes.
Jessica v

Visually stunning, perfectly delivered, and one of the best-written scripts I've yet heard. Kudos to the Bard - his biting sarcasm and scalding insinuations never get old. McKellen shines in all his classically-trained glory, bringing humanity and gritty, base desire to one of… More
Visually stunning, perfectly delivered, and one of the best-written scripts I've yet heard. Kudos to the Bard - his biting sarcasm and scalding insinuations never get old. McKellen shines in all his classically-trained glory, bringing humanity and gritty, base desire to one of the greatest villains of all time. In the cons, the American accents floating in and out of scenes was pretty jarring, to be honest, and the pacing was a bit incomprehensible at times. Still, this stellar cast and beautiful visual direction cures all ills, as far as I'm concerned. Find it!

Read all 9 featured audience ratings

Cast

            Ian McKellen as Richard III

            Annette Bening as Queen Elizabeth

            Jim Broadbent as Buckingham

            Robert Downey Jr. as Earl Rivers

            Nigel Hawthorne as Clarence

            Kristin Scott Thomas as Lady Anne

            Christopher Bowen as Prince Edward

            Jim Carter as Hastings

            Michael Elphick as NCO

            Roger Hammond as Archbishop

            Edward Hardwicke as Stanley

            Edward Jewesbury as King Henry

            Dennis Lili as Lord Mayor

            Tim McInnerny as Catesby

            Bill Paterson as Ratcliffe

            Bruce Purchase as City Gentleman

            Andy Rashleigh as Jailer

            Maggie Smith as Duchess of York

            Donald Sumpter as Brackenbury

            Adrian Dunbar as James Tyrell

            John Wood as Edward IV

            Dominic West as Henry Richmond

            Kate Steavenson-Payne as Princess Elizabeth

            Ryan Gilmore as George Stanley

            Matthew Groom as Prince James

            Tres Hanley as Miss Pan-Am

            Marc Williamson as Prince Of Wales
See full cast